Forensic professionals rely on specialized chemical solvents for latent fingerprint development, and the discontinuation of 3M™ Novec™ 7100 and 3M™ Novec™ 71DE has created an urgent need for an effective replacement. Without a reliable alternative, forensic labs risk significant disruptions in latent fingerprint analysis, which could impact crucial criminal investigations.
Best Technology, the largest authorized distributor of 3M™ fluids in the U.S., has developed BestSolv® engineered fluids as direct replacements for 3M™ Novec™ 7100 and 71DE. These fluids are designed to meet the specific needs of forensic professionals, ensuring that latent fingerprints are developed and analyzed with precision
These fluids–BestSolv® Sierra, BestSolv® Delta, and BestSolv® 7100–offer seamless transitions and are available at a significant cost savings compared to 3M™ Novec™.
“At the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, our chemists prepared test batches using 1,2-Indanedione combined with BestSolv® Sierra and BestSolv® 7100. Our crime scene analysts then evaluated both formulas on mock evidence containing fresh and slightly aged latent prints. We’re excited to report that both performed wonderfully on print development and ink diffusion.
—Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Crime Scene Unit
We now have two viable fluid options moving forward, the BestSolv® Sierra and the BestSolv® 7100. Thank you for your support of our industry. We look forward to partnering with Best Technology in the future.”
The Challenge: Discontinuation of 3M™ Novec™ in Latent Fingerprint Analysis
In December 2022, 3M™ announced the voluntary phaseout of the Novec™ line, including Novec™ 7100 and 71DE. This decision affects forensic labs and law enforcement agencies that depend on these carrier solvents for developing latent fingerprints. Novec™ fluids have been widely used due to their nonflammability, low toxicity, and environmental compliance. The sudden disruption left forensic investigators scrambling for an alternative that meets the same regulatory and performance standards.
Best Technology responded to this disruption and developed BestSolv® fluids to ensure forensic labs can continue latent fingerprint development without interruption.
A Reliable Transition to BestSolv® Fluids
Switching to a new chemical solvent for forensic applications can be a complex process. Best Technology has successfully transitioned customers from legacy solvents in the past, such as the shift from AK225. Through a disciplined approach to qualification and testing, BestSolv® Sierra, BestSolv® Delta, and BestSolv® 7100 have been validated as reliable drop-in replacements for forensic labs.
For labs reviewing available Novec™ 7100 replacement fluids, BestSolv® 7100 may also be considered alongside products such as Promosolv DR3. This gives forensic teams another practical option when comparing carrier solvents for latent fingerprint development workflows, including differences in chemistry, consistency, and long-term supply. Learn more about BestSolv® and Promosolv™ for latent fingerprint processing.
Key Benefits of BestSolv® Fluids
- Consistent Supply Chain: BestSolv® raw materials are dual-sourced to prevent supply chain disruptions.
- Cost Savings: BestSolv® fluids provide significant cost reductions compared to 3M™ Novec™ while maintaining the same level of performance.
- Regulatory Compliance: These fluids match the chemical profiles of Novec™ products, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal revalidation requirements.
- No Formulation Changes Necessary: BestSolv® fluids perform identically in forensic fingerprint processing methods.
Proven Latent Fingerprint Formulations with BestSolv®
Forensic agencies using Novec™ 7100 or Novec™ 71DE for latent fingerprint development can transition to BestSolv® using the following formulations:
1. Ninhydrin with BestSolv® Sierra or BestSolv® 7100
- 5 grams Ninhydrin crystals
- 45 ml Ethanol
- 2 ml Ethyl Acetate
- 5 ml Acetic Acid
- 1 L BestSolv® Sierra or BestSolv® 7100
2. DFO with BestSolv® Sierra and BestSolv® Delta
- 0.25 g DFO Powder
- 30 ml Methanol
- 20 ml Acetic Acid
- 275 ml BestSolv® Delta
- 725 ml BestSolv® Sierra
3. 1,2 Indanedione with BestSolv® Sierra or BestSolv® 7100
- 2 g 1,2-Indanedione
- 70 ml Ethyl Acetate
- 930 ml BestSolv® Sierra or BestSolv® 7100
For all formulations, mix thoroughly with a magnetic stirrer before adding each ingredient to ensure uniformity.
Real Results: Faster Revalidation and Lower Costs
Forensic agencies that transitioned to BestSolv® achieved revalidation in less than two months, preventing workflow interruptions. Additionally, they reported over 27% cost savings compared to Novec™ fluids. These agencies have successfully implemented BestSolv® as their new forensic science standard for latent fingerprint analysis.
BestSolv®: The Future of Latent Fingerprint Processing
BestSolv® Sierra and BestSolv Delta™ are newer-generation hydrofluoroether (HFE) solvents designed to replace 3M™ Novec™ 7100 and Novec™ 71DE. BestSolv® 7100 is an exact molecular replacement for Novec™ 7100, offering identical chemical performance and regulatory compliance, and may also be evaluated when reviewing alternatives to Promosolv DR3 or other solvents used in Novec™ 7100 replacement workflows. These solvents provide the forensic science community with:
- Nonflammability & Low Toxicity: Ensuring safety for forensic personnel.
- Environmental Compliance: Meeting global standards with low global warming potential and zero ozone depletion potential.
- Reliable Supply & Cost-Effectiveness: Ensuring availability and affordability compared to discontinued Novec™ products.
“After evaluating samples from multiple vendors, we chose Best Technology’s BestSolv® Sierra to be used as the solvent with Ninhydrin and 1,2 Indanedione for our latent print development protocols. Its superior performance and excellent reagent solubility deliver reliable, high-quality results. Combined with its consistent performance, BestSolv® Sierra has become a trusted solution in our lab—one we confidently recommend to other professionals in the forensic field.”
—Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office – Crime Scene Section
How to Transition to BestSolv®: Best Technology’s Proven Process
Best Technology utilizes a proven process to assist customers in transitioning from one chemical product to another. This process includes the following:
- Identifying a replacement chemistry that aligns with customer needs while considering chemical performance, technical specifications, regulatory concerns, supply chain risk mitigation, and production operating costs.
- Partnering with ISO-certified laboratories to test and qualify replacement chemistry.
- Supplying customers who are transitioning from 3M™ Novec™ 7100 and Novec™ 71DE with technical information, including SDS and TDS, for BestSolv® Sierra, BestSolv® Delta, and BestSolv® 7100.
- Providing samples to agencies for testing purposes.
- Creating a model that estimates expected cost savings based on individual customer usage profiles.
Latent Fingerprint Processing FAQs
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What solvent can replace 3M™ Novec™ fluids for latent fingerprint processing without disrupting forensic workflows?
BestSolv® Engineered Fluids are the direct replacements for discontinued 3M™ Novec™ solvents. They work as drop-in and exact molecule replacements, allowing forensic labs to continue using proven fingerprint development methods without reworking recipes that use ninhydrin, DFO, and 1,2-indanedione. Validated by law enforcement agencies on both fresh and aged prints, BestSolv® delivers consistent, court-defensible results. With nonflammable chemistry, low-toxicity, and environmental compliance, BestSolv® fluids also protect your lab team while meeting evolving regulations. By choosing BestSolv®, you secure a reliable supply, lower costs compared to Novec™, and maintain the continuity your forensic work demands.
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How long does it take to revalidate new solvents for fingerprint development in forensic labs?
With BestSolv® Engineered Fluids, revalidation can be completed quickly because they are designed as true drop-in replacements for discontinued 3M™ Novec™ solvents. Labs can transition without rewriting development recipes or changing existing workflows.
BestSolv® has already been successfully validated by law enforcement agencies, showing consistent performance with ninhydrin, DFO, and 1,2-indanedione on both fresh and aged prints. This reduces the time and resources normally required for method revalidation. By choosing BestSolv®, your lab avoids extended downtime, minimizes backlog risks, and ensures uninterrupted, court-defensible casework.
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Do BestSolv® solvents work with common fingerprint formulations like ninhydrin, DFO, and 1,2-indanedione?
Yes. BestSolv® Engineered Fluids are fully compatible with standard forensic formulations, including ninhydrin, DFO, and 1,2-indanedione. They perform as direct replacements for discontinued 3M™ Novec™ solvents, so no recipe changes are required.
Validated by law enforcement agencies, BestSolv® solvents consistently deliver clear, court-defensible latent prints on both fresh and aged evidence. With proven chemistry, nonflammable safety, and environmental compliance, they give forensic labs the continuity and confidence needed to maintain reliable fingerprint processing workflows.
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What cost savings can forensic labs expect when switching from Novec™ to BestSolv® solvents?
Forensic labs that transition from 3M™ Novec™ solvents to BestSolv® Engineered Fluids typically see significant cost savings, often more than 25%, without compromising fingerprint development performance.
Drop-in replacement fluids such as BestSolv® Sierra and BestSolv® Delta allow labs to continue using existing formulations with ninhydrin, DFO, and 1,2-indanedione—eliminating costly reformulation or process redesign. Combined with a reliable supply chain and nonflammable, environmentally compliant chemistry, BestSolv® Engineered Fluids reduce both operational expenses and long-term risk, helping labs stretch budgets while maintaining consistent, court-defensible results.
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What are the advantages of BestSolv® for Latent Fingerprint Processing?
BestSolv® provides forensic laboratories with a high-purity, single-isomer HFE for latent fingerprint processing, offering greater chemical consistency and process control than dual-isomer HFE alternatives such as Promosolv DR3.
For latent fingerprint laboratories, BestSolv® offers several advantages:
- High-purity chemistry for high-quality results: BestSolv® 7100 is manufactured as a high-purity solvent to support consistent forensic processing.
- Greater chemical consistency: Eliminating variation in the ratio between two isomers provides more consistent chemistry from lot to lot.
- More efficient manufacturing chemistry: BestSolv® single-isomer HFE is produced through targeted catalytic synthesis, avoiding the long-chain PFAS byproducts associated with legacy electrochemical fluorination manufacturing. Learn more about the environmental advantages of single-isomer HFE chemistry.
- Improved supply-chain continuity: Purpose-built single-isomer production provides a controlled manufacturing pathway for laboratories seeking a long-term replacement for discontinued Novec™ 7100 carrier solvents.
For forensic laboratories using ninhydrin, DFO, and other latent fingerprint development formulations, these differences make BestSolv® more than another Novec™ replacement. Its high-purity, single-isomer chemistry is designed to provide the quality, consistency, and long-term process continuity expected from a premium forensic solvent. Learn more about BestSolv® fluids and proven formulations for latent fingerprint process
Take Action Now: Secure Your BestSolv® Supply
With the Novec™ phaseout already in effect, forensic investigators need to act fast to avoid disruptions in latent fingerprint development. BestSolv® Sierra, BestSolv® Delta, and BestSolv® 7100 provide the forensic industry with a proven, cost-effective, and high-performance solution.
Contact a chemical expert at Best Technology today to discuss your transition strategy. Our team will assist with product selection, provide technical data sheets (SDS/TDS), and offer samples for testing to ensure integration into your forensic workflow.
📩 Email: Send an email via our Contact Form
📞 Call: (612) 392-2414 ext. 2
🌐 Learn More: BestSolv® Sierra | BestSolv® Delta | BestSolv® 7100
📖 Read the Case Study: BestSolv® Latent Fingerprinting Case Study
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